Blight in Natrona

HARRISON -- What were once proud homes in a thriving neighborhood have turned into safety hazards that are beyond repair.

Five houses in the Natrona section of the township will be demolished this spring with federal Community Development Block Grants obtained by the Allegheny County North Council of Governments.

The projects could begin as early as late April.

All five of the structures are boarded up, and there's debris and other junk lying around the yards. Four of the structures sit on Walnut Street, while the other is on Wood Street.

Harrison Township Police Chief Mike Klein said it's time to get the structures razed because they are a safety factor, and officials also want to prevent somebody from trying to rent out the buildings.

"You certainly don't want a slum landlord that does nothing more than collect his dollars," Klein said.

The chief said officials need to continue to identify these type of structures and get them taken down.

Commissioner Mike Stanoski said officials were able to present a petition to county officials of people who want to see the structures come down.

"The more input you get from the residents the better off you are," Stanoski said.

Stanoski is grateful they were able to get the grant, and said, "the more we can get the better off we are."

Allegheny Valley North COG Executive Director Tom Benecki said township officials received a grant for $25,000, and it may cost about $32,000 to take down the houses.

He said it usually costs about $6,500 to demolish each structure, but sometimes he said they are able to find a contractor to do it for less.

Benecki said there used to be a separate fund set up for demolition projects, and the COG would have enough money to tear down 12 to 20 structures a year. But they now only do about 4 to 6 per year, because demolition projects had a drop in popularity six or seven years ago. He said he'd like to see more money put aside for these types of projects.

"If you have one or two old decaying structures, they can really slay a neighborhood," Benecki said. "We want to find the worst ones and get them out of here."

Township officials also received a $12,352 grant to renovate the playground at the corner of River Avenue and Federal Street. Benecki said the project will cost about $14,500, and township officials are required to kick in a 15 percent match.

Benecki said the basketball hoops will be pulled out, the blacktop will be coated, and it will be turned into an in-line skating area.

"Those are extremely popular," Benecki said.

Picnic tables and the fence will also be replaced.

"It's great Stanoski said. "Anything for the kids and the surrounding community."

Jason Walker can be reached at jawalker@tribweb.com.